The heat wave has been deadly for farm animals. / Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

By Jung Min-hoThe blistering heat wave has killed more than 4.5 million farm animals across Korea.According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the record heat has claimed the lives of about 4.53 million chickens, ducks, pigs, cows and other farm animals, a 56.5 percent increase on the same time last year.Daytime highs in many parts of Korea reached nearly 40 degrees Celsius last week, but temperatures were higher in barns.Livestock farmers sprayed water over their animals and installed fans near the barns to offer relief, but many died of heatstroke.As high temperatures are expected to continue, the ministry said it has allocated 6 billion won ($5.3 million) to support farms that do not have adequate cooling systems.The ministry advised farmers to give clean water and fodder mixed with vitamins and minerals to animals to help them better fight the heat.